93 Sampler (4 page)

, I repeat to myself. “Yes, mother. I’ll be ready. I will see you in an hour.”
        There’s no goodbye, no declaration of love. There’s just silence, and I take a second to glare at my phone, as though the generic lock screen is to blame for the fact that I’m having to go to a meeting with my parents.
        But it’s only for a second before I take a deep breath and head back to Ashton.
        “I’m really sorry, but I have to go,” I tell him. I don’t want to have to explain everything, especially not right now, but I wish I had an excuse to stay longer.
        He looks a little confused, but nods. “Is everything okay?” He asks.
        I smile at him, putting my bag back on my shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll be okay. I…” I pause, but decide to go ahead and tell him the truth. “I actually enjoyed myself. I really did.”
        Ashton stands, and I’m surprised at how tall he is. How have I never noticed this before?
        “I never thought I’d say this, but I enjoyed myself as well.” He gives me another genuine smile that sends my heart into overdrive. “You’re not too bad,
Audrey
,” he emphasizes and I bite back a grin.
        There’s a moment, and it’s that moment that I’ve seen talked about in movies and books, but never actually felt. He’s standing right there in front of me, and I’m gazing up at him as he’s looking down at me.
        “I… uh… I have to go,” I mutter. “I’ve got a meeting with my parents.”
        Our eyes are connected, and it’s that moment where I suddenly just
know
 that if I leaned forward and kissed him, he’d kiss me
back
.
        But I don’t. It’s too early for that; I’ve only just decided I don’t completely hate him.
        I take a step back, forcing myself to breathe normally so he doesn’t see how much he’s affecting me.
        I try and really look at Ashton, trying to figure out what he’s thinking, but I can’t.
        “See you Monday, Carter. I’ll text you.”
        I just nod, wave, and finally leave the little café. I feel a small smile on my face as I make my way back to my car.
        It isn’t until I’m sat in my car outside of my apartment when I realize I never gave Ashton my number. I pull up the
Blinder
 app, and part of me knows this will be the last time I ever use it. I shoot him a quick message with my number, letting him know that I’m planning on deleting the app.
        I get a response in less than a minute, and I use that responds to boost my confidence for the night.
        
Preston: I think this date was the best thing Sofia has ever made me do. I’ll text you.

I’m wearing a calf-length black dress, and a sensible pair of heels. My hair is lightly curled; a look my father always says works best for my meetings with him.
        I somehow manage to pull the outfit together within the allotted time my parents have given me, so when their driver knocks on my door to let me know of his arrival, I’m ready to go.
        Jackson is, thankfully, meeting with his recruitment officer to discuss his degree. As someone aiming to be in the marines, he has a few of those. All I know is that it means I don’t have to discuss my date with Ashton yet.
        I let myself smile, remembering the date. Who would have thought I’d enjoy spending time with a guy like Ashton?
        I open the door and follow the driver to his car. I recognize him, and recall some of the conversations I’ve had with him. My mother always tells me it’s important to remember anyone you come into contact with, seeing as you never know who’s going to leave your employment and rant to the nearest gossip site about how you treated them. Even without her warning, however, I like knowing about the people my parent’s hire for one reason or another.
        “Daniel, nice to see you again. How are you doing today?” I ask.
        There’s a brief look of surprise before he answers. “It’s nice to see you too, ma’am. I’m doing quite well. And you?”
        “Oh, not too bad. How’s your daughter? Ella, isn’t it?” I hope I’ve gotten it right. There’s another driver named Dan, and I’m always nervous I’ll give the wrong one a child.
        However, Daniel smiles widely, opening the back door to the non-descriptive black car for me. “She’s doing great, thank you for asking. She’s just started fifth grade now, I’ll let her know you asked about her.”
        I nod, allowing Daniel to shut the door behind me. On the road, I begin scrolling through the Redford Entertainment website, making sure I’m completely up-to-date on all the information that will probably be mentioned during the meeting. Occasionally, I make a comment to Daniel about something that someone has done, but for the most part we pass the journey in silence.
        When the car pulls up to the restaurant, I once again thank Daniel, making sure to ask him to say hello to his wife and daughter from me, and make my way into the building.
        Having been a regular of
Marco’s
 since my childhood, I’m not stopped as I make my way towards the table my parents frequent.
        What does stop me is the third person sitting across from my parents, a third person I recognize immediately; Chad Winston.
        Instantly, my mood drops. Of course this isn’t just a simple dinner meeting.
        It’s a date. One I haven’t agreed to, or even been told about.
        I plaster a fake smile onto my face, trying to figure out how I’m supposed to act about this.
        “Mother, father,” I greet, giving them both a polite kiss on the cheek.
        “Darling, so glad you could join us,” my mother says, her tone indicating that I’ve just barely made it on time; as though it’s my fault.
        “Let me formally introduce you to Chad Winston, his parents own Winston Publicity.”
        Though I’ve met Chad before, I don’t say so. It’s only polite to allow an introduction to play out.
        “Chad, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Carter.”
        I take his offered hand, expecting him to shake mine, but instead he places a kiss on the back. The move might have been considered romantic. If I
wanted
 to be here.
        “The pleasure is all mine.”
        I fight hard to not roll my eyes. In my parent’s presence, I’m forced to accept the greeting and act as though I’m flattered. Inside, I’m wondering if he knows how cliché the line is.
        Before I can take the seat beside him, he stands and pulls it out for me.
        Out of the corner of my eye, I see my mother smile widely, and I know I’ll have to spend the next couple of hours pretending every faux-romantic move Chad makes is impressing me.
        I love chivalry, just not from the man my parents want me to marry. Especially not when I’ve never actually agreed to be on a date with him.
        My mind jumps to Ashton and I hope I’ll be able to make me leaving so abruptly up to him.
        “Carter, are you listening?” My father’s voice interrupts my thoughts of Ashton, and I’m glad for the minimum lighting in the building so he can’t see the flush I feel rising on my cheeks.
        “I’m sorry, father. I had a lot of assignments to complete today,” I lie, smoothly. I know I can’t tell him about Ashton. Not yet, anyway.
        My father merely nods. “Well, at least you got something accomplished today.”
        I’m used to the comments like this; subtle hints that I’m not doing as well as he expects. Then again, I hadn’t been born a big, strong man, so it’s not a surprise that I’m not meeting his expectations.
        Hoping to avoid talking to anyone for even a minute, I open up my menu. I don’t need to, I know what I want, but I also know we have about ten more minutes before the waiter makes his way over to our table. It’s a tactic that’s supposed to show how much influence my father has over anyone; he can tell them to wait for twenty minutes, and they will.
        “So, Carter, what are you attending school for?” Chad asks me.
        “I’m enrolled for a business major,” I tell him, placing the menu back down. Apparently it’s not going to deter him from a conversation with me.
        “Ah, I’m the same. I’m taking classes online so I can really get a hands-on experience for my family’s company. It’s very rewarding, being able to run a corporation as big as ours.”
        I nod. “I suppose it would be.”
        I sneak a quick glance at my parents, both of whom are looking at Chad as though he’s a long lost son.
        It’s further proof that I can’t tell them about Ashton; they want someone who’ll be able to take over Redford Entertainment, as well as who’ll be beneficial for the progress of the company. And while I like Ashton, at least I think I do, I just know he’s not that kind of guy.
        “That is a great idea. Maybe we should look into having Carter do the same thing after she finishes her Bachelor’s degree,” my father suggests, his expression telling me he wishes he’d thought of that before.
        I have to fight to contain the sudden fear that threatens to engulf me. Working under my father wouldn’t be educational; I’d just be a receptionist, and that was if I was lucky. He’s never really wanted me to work for him, he just wants a backup for if I don’t get married on his schedule.
        “Father, while it’s a fabulous idea,” I’m proud of how sincere I sound, “I think allowing me to stay in a college atmosphere will give me an inside look into what is popular among different age groups. I can then use this knowledge to help Redford Entertainment reach and connect with more people.”
        The rare smile I receive from my father makes me breathe a little easier.
        “Good point. You’ll help a fine man run Redford one day.”
        I know it’s supposed to be a compliment, and from him it really is, but it doesn’t feel like one.
        If only he’d realize it isn’t the eighteenth century anymore.
        “Smart and beautiful. Can’t ask for much more than that,” Chad says, and I smile a little at him, accepting the compliment. At least he’d said smart first, which was more than my father ever did.
        But his comment reminds me he’s there, and that I’m here because my parents want me to marry him.
        A waiter finally makes his way over to us, and when my parents are cordial with him, I know he’s actually right on time.
        My mother and father order a red wine for the table before we all give the man our food preferences.
        Despite me being only twenty, I know the waiter won’t stop me from having my own wine glass. I’ve been sipping wine and champagne since I’ve been old enough to choose my own outfits, and having money at
Marco’s
 means no questions will ever be asked.
        My mother coughs lightly, and when I look at her, she says, pointedly, “Chad, you must be so busy with your classes and learning your family’s business!”
        I take the hint she’s giving me; I need to ask Chad about himself. I refrain from sighing. “Yes, your schedule sounds hectic. Do you have anything you do to relax?”
        Chad grins. “Well, I hate to say it, but I’ve recently found that golf is an incredible stress reliever after a long week.”
        My father’s eyebrows raise. “Golf? Interesting, we may have to play a few rounds together one day.”
        I miss Chad’s response when I feel my phone buzz through the jacket I’ve kept on. I usually turn it off when I’m with my parents, but it seems I’ve forgotten this time.
        With my father and Chad talking about golf, and my mother staring at the two of them with stars in her eyes, I take a chance to check the message before shutting it down.
        
Ashton: I had a nice time with you. Maybe next time we can spend the entire evening together? I’m still curious. ;)
        
The text makes me smile, and I know I have to reply; there’s something between us, and I know I can’t miss the chance I’ve been given to figure him out.
        “Please excuse me for a moment,” I say, not bothering to explain myself.
        I make my way to the bathroom quickly, not looking back or see what their reactions are. Once in the bathroom, I sit on the little loveseat they have there. I never understand it, but right now I can’t complain.
        Before I can start my reply, I notice a shadow cross my phone. I glance up, and hurriedly hide my phone when I realize it’s my mother.
        I hadn’t even noticed her following me.
        “What are you doing?” She asks me, her tone indicating she knows I’m about to lie.
        I stand up, trying to think of a good response to give her, but I run out of time when she says, “I already saw you smile at your phone. Not only is that disrespectful to your father and I, it’s a blatant insult to Chad. He took the time today to come and see you, the least you could do is pay attention.”
        “Mother, I merely forgot to mute it, but I just came here to -,”
        “To what?” She interrupts, and I swallow, nervously. “Reply to some friend of yours? Darling, Chad is perfect. You need to understand that making him, and what he can do for our business, is more important than some college person you’ll forget about in a few weeks.”
        “You want me to just forget about Ashton?” I blurt before I can stop myself. I know I only spent an hour with him, but some part of me is still curious about that 93%, and I’m not quite ready to let go of that curiosity yet.
        “Ashton? Oh, I see.” My mother lets out a small sigh. “Sweetheart, he’s not for you. He
will
be forgotten. He’s clearly not important if you’ve never even mentioned him before.”
        I don’t have time to explain the he’s relatively new in my life before she continues.
        “Chad is the one you need to focus on. He’s everything we’ve ever wanted, and your father adores him. You need to forget about this Ashton boy. He’s not going to help our future. You know that, don’t you?”
        I look down, knowing that, in a way, she’s right.
        “But mother, shouldn’t I be allowed to choose my own marriage partner?” I ask, quietly. It’s a final attempt, but I don’t get a response; I know what she’s going to say.
        I look up, and am disappointed when she still looks as impassive as ever; some part of me had been hoping she’d look sad for me.
        “We do what we must for the Redford name,” she says, simply. “Now, tidy up your makeup a little and come back to Chad.”
        My mother leaves the bathroom, and I let out a long, slow breath as I take a look into the mirror.
        As much as I want to, I can’t reply to Ashton now. My mother is right; he’s not for me. I know I have a duty to my family, and that duty overrides anything I feel.
        I apply some powder to my face, take another deep breath, and try to forget I ever went on a date with Ashton.